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The residents of seven cliff top homes in Hemsby, Norfolk, could only watch as
their houses collapsed into the sea last night, swept away by the worst
tidal surge to hit the UK in 60 years.

The North Sea surge caused flooding along Britain’s east coast yesterday,
reaching north Norfolk in the early evening, and continuing south through
the night. Further storms are expected today and severe flood warnings
remain in place.

The properties in Hemsby were destroyed when the 30ft cliff they stood on was
washed into the sea.

Ray Mooney was inside his home when the storm hit.

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Hemsby: the 30ft cliff was washed into the sea

2013-12-06 10:33:00.0 Getty Images

Hemsby: the 30ft cliff was washed into the sea

2013-12-06 10:33:00.0 Getty Images

Norfolk is currently the worst hit area by the surge

2013-12-06 10:33:00.0 Justin TallisGetty Images

One resident heard a shout of 'it's going, it's going' as the cliff collapsed

2013-12-06 10:33:00.0 Stephen Pond/Getty Images

The affected families from Hemsby are being temporarily housed in a nearby holiday park

2013-12-06 10:33:00.0 Stephen Pond/Getty Images

The North Sea surge hit the north Norfolk coast early yesterday evening

2013-12-06 10:33:00.0 Ben Kendall/PA

A rescue team evacuates a family in Boston, Lincolnshire, after floods hit

2013-12-06 10:33:00.0 Peter Macdiarmid/Getty Images

Rescue personnel also worked through the night in Rhyl, north Wales

2013-12-06 10:33:00.0 Christopher Furlong/Getty Images

More than 10,000 homes on the coast were last night earmarked for evacuation

2013-12-06 10:33:00.0 Peter Macdiarmid/Getty Images

In Boston more than 250 people were taken to evacuation centres

2013-12-06 10:33:00.0 Peter Macdiarmid/Getty Images

Firefighters in Whitby pump out flood water from business premise

2013-12-06 10:33:00.0 Ian Forsyth/Getty Images

A police van blocks the road as strong tidal surges come over the sea wall in Sandsend, Yorkshire

2013-12-06 10:33:00.0 Ian Forsyth/Getty Images

The Environment Agency has issued 45 severe flood warnings again this morning